FCS Financial was on site for the 2026 FARMCON in Kansas City this January joining over 1,200 of the nation’s most progressive builders and doers in agriculture. The energy was high, but the message was grounded: in a shifting global economy, the future of Missouri agriculture depends on moving beyond traditional “price-taking" and embracing a more sophisticated, business-first strategy.
Here are the key takeaways from our team’s time at the event:
1. From Commodity to Brand
A major theme this year was the reality that the U.S. is no longer the world’s low-cost provider of generic commodities. To secure long-term success, producers must differentiate their products at the farm level. Whether through identity preservation, high-quality trait-specific grains, or finding a unique niche in the "food revolution," the goal is to become a "price maker." Long-term wealth is built slowly and steadily—not through knee-jerk market reactions, but by focusing on quality and having the discipline to "cut losers" (underperforming acres or assets) when necessary.
2. Precision and P&L Management
With 2026 input costs top of mind, the advice was clear: maximize every acre.
- Fertility: Instead of blanket applications, attendees were encouraged to build customized plans for every acre. Innovations like micro-nutrients are now essential tools to unlock yield potential while potentially lowering overall fertilizer spend.
- Risk Management: Don’t overlook enhancements to federal crop insurance. For 2026, options like the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) and Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) now offer significantly higher premium subsidies (up to 80%), providing a robust safety net with a lower out-of-pocket investment.
- Ethanol & Carbon: Be strategic. As producers look at the “Carbon” market through various strategies, one particular option may be to work with local ethanol plant that can compliment your carbon program into higher commodity prices as we look at the evolvement of 45Z.
3. The "OBBB" and Your Insurance Strategy
Following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), panelists advised taking a deeper dive into your crop insurance strategy with your agent. The new legislation provides a massive $6 billion boost to the crop insurance safety net.
Notable changes for 2026 include:
- Higher Subsidies: Premium support for the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) and Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) has jumped to 80% (up from 65%).
- Expanded Access: You can now purchase SCO regardless of your ARC or PLC election, offering much-needed flexibility.
- Enhanced Protection: New options allow you to effectively insure up to 90% or 95% of your crop value at a significantly lower out-of-pocket cost.
4. Embracing "Unmetered Intelligence"
The conference highlighted Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the next great efficiency tool. AI isn't just a futurist concept; it’s a present-day asset for automating mundane tasks and analyzing complex data. The "brilliance" of AI is becoming abundant, but the advantage goes to the producer who maintains a critical-thinking mindset to drive that intelligence.
5. Authenticity and Legacy
Finally, branding is no longer just for retail companies. As we heard from marketing experts, being authentic, especially on social media, is vital. Consumers value transparency and integrity; "doing what you say you will do" is the foundation of a modern agricultural brand.
As we look toward the 2026 season, remember that a legacy is built by empowering the next generation today. Give them the responsibility to lead, and even to fail on a small scale, so they are ready to carry the operation forward with confidence.
For more information on the insights and speakers featured at this year's event, visit the official website at www.farmcon.com.
